problems with hind legs

[Aulyvia]

I have a female rex rat i adopted a bit more then a month ago. I noticed a problem with the way she walked the first day I got her. She was out in the play area with my other rats. and her back legs looked funny. I really don't know how to explain it. She ran around more then the others, I didn't think much of it. Since day 1 she would always jump off the playing area. I mentioned this to the old owner, and she just told me that Ruffles always was the adventuous one. But as time goes by she keeps falling off the play area. and recently I've noticed that her back end is browner like she sleeps in her pee. And the past 2 days she's been sleeping at the bottom of her cage. The food and water are at the bottom, so that shouldn't be a problem for her. But today I woke her up to say hi and spot clean the cage, it took her a while to get up and about. but she kept stretching her hind legs and "lower" back, like she couldn't get comfortable.

I know I have to bring her to the vet. and I will. I tried to google back problems, and spinal degeneration to see what would come up. But they only talk about rats that are around 2 years old. Ruffles is only 5 months!! She was born on Febuary 13th of this year!

So my question is, has anyone else had the same problem as me? And what was the outcome? How long till something serious happeed? Ruffles is the spit fire of all my ratties. Rats already don't live long enough!!

Thank you

 

[mamarat]

Could she have fallen and hurt her back?

 

[jorats]

She's quite young to be going through this. It could a tumor, spinal injury or even neurological.
I wonder if even a bladder infection could cause this?
I think a vet is your best bet in this case. Please keep us posted.

 

[Aulyvia]

I'll definately keep you posted. i went to see her not too long ago. she walks but very low to the ground. and she pivots on her back end to turn around and goes straight from there. i picked her up to put her back in the cage and she squeeked like she was in pain, which she never did before

 

[Dazzle87]

Can you see if her pee is abnormal at all, like really dark or red?

 

[Unepuce]

Going through something similar, eventhough not as bad, with my Lili. I was lucky though - I took her to the vet to check on a suspected sinus infection, and during the exam, she peed on the white towel so we noticed there was blood in her pee. I do tend to go with Dazzle for a urinary infection. Lili was outgoing, happy and active (she was my only runner at the time!) and now, she walks funny on one side, keeps her hip apart from her body and is always lying down.

 

[Aulyvia]

i'll take her out by herself later on today and put her on a white towel...it give me hope. i was really worried i might have to put her down. i have a vet appointment with her in 2 days

i just went down to check on them today, and ruffles was in a hammock with a few of her friends i'm guessing it's good. she feels ok to climb the ladders

if it is a pee infection, could i give them cranberries?? cranberry juice is good for us and our bladders...

i'll get back with more news later on today.

 

[Unepuce]

Good question! I did try and research when one of my guinea pigs got one and the vet said it was a no go because their urine's acidity is very different from ours... but I didn't even think of asking for Lili! I have to call the vet in about 40 minutes to try and get her in there for Saturday... I'll ask!!!

 

[Unepuce]

OK - I called the vet, asked my tons of questions, and got a response for the cranberries.

One of the vet there says it's ok to give them cranberry juice to treat urinary infection - she said to dilute 1 cc into water, once a day. Since Lili is already taking Baytril and that I mix her medicine in some soft foods to ease it in, I for my part will add it to one of her twice daily mixture.

Thank you for reminding me about cranberries! :bow:

 

[Aulyvia]

Thank you unepuce for finding out fo me great to know. i just got back from the store and didn't pick any up i'm going to be going to the beach later on, so i'll pick some up at the same time

 

[Unepuce]

Been trying to find some downtown Montreal, but all I could find was cranberry cocktails... gotta go to a natural food store I guess...

 

[Aulyvia]

not easy to find something with no sugar added!

 

[Dazzle87]

You can find cranberry juice concentrate in supplement stores, I don't know if you have GNC's?

 

[Unepuce]

I do have those here... but gotta take the car to get there... I'll check the grocery store first

 

[jorats]

I believe Flower Town sells pure cranberry crystals to mix in water.
It's good to know that the vet recommended this.

 

[Unepuce]

I just wanted to specify, as I realize my response is a bit cloudy - do not use cranberry juice only to treat the infection, but to ease it. She will still need a vet visit and antibiotics...

OK - my conscience is clear, I can get back to work now :?

 

[Aulyvia]

Don't worry, I figured that. until she sees the vet tomorrow.....and it's always good to know.

 

[Unepuce]

So cute - I'm taking Lili tomorrow as well for her urinary infection. Seems to be getting a bit worse... hope I am not chancing it too much by waiting for my vet to return from vacation tomorrow... :sad3:

But seeing her the way she is, I really want my regular vet to see her - she can read me and will tell me exactely what I need to know and won't be able to think of asking while there...

 

[Aulyvia]

ruffles seems to be getting better. her pee is normal colour, and she's standing on her hind legs...i still can't wait to see what the vet thinks. but I think maybe it was just a fall and she twisted her ankle or something. Anyway, i'm hping for the best Unepuce let me know how lili's doing after her vet apointment.

 

[Unepuce]

Sure will!

I did find cranberry juice :dance: I had to get 1 L (which means 4 L diluted), so I guess I have a few cocktails aligned this summer :wink2:

Hopefully, the first one will be tomorrow, to celebrate that Lili isn't about to die! anic: